uring the early years of life, the brain is rapidly developing and particularly vulnerable to trauma. Trauma can impact a child's brain development and can result in long-term physical, psychological, and emotional problems. Trauma can also cause changes in the structure and function of the brain. For example, the amygdala, which is a small almond-shaped part of the brain that is involved in the processing of emotions, becomes overactive in response to traumatic experiences. As a result, it can lead to anxiety and other emotional difficulties.

Childhood trauma can also lead to changes in the hippocampus, which is involved in memory formation and regulation of the stress response. Trauma can cause the hippocampus to shrink, affecting memory and making it harder to regulate the stress response. Furthermore, traumatic experiences can affect the development of the brain's neural networks, which are crucial for learning, problem-solving, and social interaction, and can lead to cognitive and social development difficulties.

Overall, trauma, during the early years, can significantly impact the developing brain, and it is essential for children who have experienced trauma to receive appropriate support and treatment to mitigate the effects of trauma and promote healthy brain development.

If you are an early childhood educator or administrator attending the North American Division 2023 Educators' Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, you won't want to miss hearing a special presentation on "Trauma and Brain Development During the Early Years,” at our ECE Gathering Appreciating and Promoting (GAP) session during the 100-breakout session on Tuesday morning.  Our presenter, Ingrid Weiss-Slikkers, will talk about how trauma can impact the brain during early childhood development.

Attending the educators' convention will provide valuable opportunities to network and learn new skills and teaching strategies. It can be an enriching experience with a range of benefits for both personal and professional development.

Evelyn Sullivan, M.Ed.

Director, Early Childhood Education,
North American Division